MHPSS Technical Officer

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of the designated line manager, and in technical coordination with the MHPSS Manager and relevant programme teams, the MHPSS Technical Officer supports the implementation, monitoring and quality assurance of PSS activities under the UNFPA-supported programme. The post holder helps strengthen the capacity of PSS counsellors and frontline staff, supports appropriate referral pathways, reviews service data and contributes to timely programme reporting.

The role supports the delivery of safe, confidential, accessible, culturally appropriate and person-centred PSS services in line with approved HealthNet TPO procedures and relevant inter-agency guidance, including the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings. The post holder will work with site and programme teams to identify service gaps, strengthen staff practice and improve the quality and continuity of support for women, girls and other programme participants.

Key Responsibilities

Programme management and technical support

• Provide technical guidance to PSS counsellors and relevant frontline staff to support implementation of approved PSS activities and achievement of programme objectives.
• Support the development, adaptation and use of PSS tools, resource materials, forms, questionnaires and templates in line with approved programme guidance.
• Conduct regular field monitoring and review PSS service delivery, staff practice, records and implementation challenges at assigned SDPs, PSCCs, MCCCs and other programme locations.
• Support the planning and implementation of structured supervision, mentoring and coaching for PSS counsellors; document agreed actions and follow up on identified practice gaps.
• Provide guidance on Psychological First Aid (PFA), basic PSS interventions and appropriate responses to psychosocial needs, ensuring that staff work within their roles and use referral pathways when required.
• Support staff self-care and wellbeing activities in coordination with the MHPSS Manager and relevant programme leads.
• Review PSS guidance, field manuals, tools and information, education and communication (IEC) materials to promote clarity, cultural appropriateness and consistency with approved standards.
• Participate in relevant PSS/MHPSS coordination meetings and maintain constructive working relationships with site teams, health staff, service providers and other relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to programme reports, lessons learned, resource materials and documentation of achievements, challenges and recommended actions.
• Provide technical guidance through supervision and case-practice discussions with PSS counsellors, while protecting beneficiary confidentiality and following approved procedures.
• Support the development and use of clear PSS information and awareness messages appropriate to the programme context and intended audience.
• Support the dissemination and implementation of approved SOPs, referral protocols, donor requirements and programme guidelines across assigned service locations.

Capacity Development

• Provide or support staff orientation on the code of conduct, safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Contribute to training needs assessments, training plans and delivery of capacity-building activities for PSS counsellors and relevant frontline staff, including on PSS, PFA and referral pathways.
• Support routine monitoring of PSS activities against approved objectives, indicators, procedures and quality standards.
• Strengthen PSS quality through structured supervision, mentoring, supportive feedback and review of staff learning needs.
• Analyse monitoring findings, supervision records and routine service data to identify capacity-development needs and recommend practical follow-up actions.
• Contribute to the development and review of training materials and IEC resources to ensure that PSS information is clear, culturally appropriate, accessible and consistent with approved programme guidance.
• Support staff preparedness to respond to emergencies and changing humanitarian needs by reinforcing awareness of PSS needs, available services, safe referral options and relevant response procedures.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Review and monitor PSS service delivery and approved indicators to support consistent, quality and accountable PSS services across assigned locations.
• Maintain or review training, supervision, mentoring and field-monitoring trackers, and follow up on agreed actions to address identified gaps.
• Conduct monitoring visits and document service-quality findings, implementation progress, operational challenges and recommendations.
• Compile and submit timely, accurate programme updates, field-monitoring notes, site inputs and other reports requested by the line manager or programme team.
• Check the completeness, consistency and timeliness of PSS registers and session records, including new and follow-up beneficiaries, sessions and referrals, using approved tools and definitions. Protect personal information and share identifiable data only through authorized channels.

Education

• Medical Doctor (MD) degree, or a university degree in psychology, social work, medicine, mental health (Certified degree), or another relevant discipline. Relevant postgraduate qualifications are an advantage.

Work Experience

• Typically, 3–6 years of relevant experience in humanitarian or development programmes, including practical experience supporting PSS/MHPSS service delivery.
• Experience working in humanitarian or emergency settings and supporting services for women, girls and crisis-affected communities is an advantage.
• Experience in planning, implementing or monitoring programmes, activities or projects and contributing to programme improvement.
• Experience coordinating with site teams, health workers, local service providers, community representatives, partner organizations and other relevant stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently, prioritize tasks and collaborate effectively with multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience supporting referral pathways and coordination with health and other relevant services is an advantage.
• Understanding of person-centred, culturally appropriate and inclusive PSS approaches, including confidentiality, informed consent, safeguarding and ethical information management.
• Experience developing or delivering training materials on PSS interventions, PFA, staff capacity development, referral procedures or related humanitarian topics.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts clearly and work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of confidentiality, safe data handling and ethical requirements for managing and sharing sensitive programme information.
• Experience supervising, mentoring or coaching PSS counsellors, psychosocial workers or frontline staff is an advantage.
• Knowledge of integrated PSS and health services and an understanding of barriers faced by people with disabilities are advantages.
• Ability to review service data, identify trends and gaps, and contribute to accurate monitoring and reporting.
• Good computer skills, particularly in MS Word and Excel; experience with data-collection or reporting platforms is an advantage.
• Knowledge of relevant inter-agency MHPSS guidance, including the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, is an advantage.

Languages: Fluency in English and the relevant local language(s), Dari and/or Pashto, is required. Ability to prepare clear written reports in English is an advantage

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to send their CVs along with an application letter to recruitment.kabul@hntpo.org

Please ensure to fill out the Health Net TPO application form which is available in http://www.acbar.org/applicationform

Please ensure to mention the position you are applying for, in the subject line of your E-mail

Incomplete applications or applications received after closing date will not be given consideration.

recruitment.kabul@hntpo.org